As a former submariner, I’d like to wish the U.S. Submarine Force a very Happy Birthday and explain the flag that is flying beneath the Stars and Stripes at the vineyard.

The submarine force was born April 11, 1900 when the U.S. Navy bought the submersible Holland VI from John Holland.

Since that historic day, undersea warfighters and submarines have used fortitude and creativity to sustain their superiority beneath the sea and develop the force into the indispensable asset that patrols world-wide today.

As submariners celebrate their birthday around the world this month, they will honor the heroes on eternal patrol and those who have served past and present.

Throughout the last 11 decades, submariners have advanced through four generations. The first generation produced fleet boats with the speed, endurance, weapons and payload that would make the submarine a warfighting platform. The second generation, defined by World War II heroes, made a decisive difference in the war and dominated the seas which set high standards of performance. The third generation of undersea warfare during the Cold War was defined by the advent of nuclear power – in weapons and propulsion. This advanced technology prevented a nuclear world war and secured the nation’s interests. The current generation of submariners, Generation IV, is being defined by the increase of long-range precision sensors and weapons.

Submarine Warfare Insignia (Dolphins)

Submariners earn their dolphins by demonstrating vast knowledge of all systems aboard a submarine in a process called qualifying. Qualifying is not just a rite of passage or achievement for submariners, it is a requirement of submarine service.

The submarine warfare insignia is considered one of the most difficult to earn in the Navy. The pride submariners feel in qualifying is amplified by the operations the Submarine Force performs. Submarines carry out some of the nation’s most difficult, valuable, and secretive missions. Submariners thus find themselves in the vexing position of having to keep silent about almost every aspect of the work they are so proud to do. Because of this tension, submarine dolphins took on even greater significance and symbolism: they became an unspoken way to communicate the identity, pride, and achievement submariners can rarely share outside the submarine community.
(Naval Undersea Museum)